The Viability of
Liberalism
How do some
contemporary
issues raise
questions about
the viability of
liberalism?
Post-modernism
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Ideological school of
thought that challenges
liberalism
A movement that largely
began as a reaction to
modernism after the First
and Second World Wars
‘Calls into question
enlightenment values such
as rationality, truth and
progress arguing that
these serve to secure
modern capitalistic society
by concealing or excluding
any forces that might
challenge its cultural
dominance’ Michael Fegan
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Period that follows
modernism – art, literature
and philosophy (largely in
Western societies)
We are under a ‘veil of
deceit’ hides alternative
ways of thinking
Themes in post-modernist thinking
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There is no one set of
dominate political and
moral ideas
Scepticism that there is
progress and constant
improvement in civilization
Knowledge is relative and
open to questioning and
interpretation
Many ways of knowing and
perceiving the world –
beyond the dominant
views of liberal traditions
Etch-a-Sketch –
French thinker Baudrillard
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‘There is no true
reality in Western
liberal culture. What
we think of as reality
is actually constructed
for us by our culture
and our media, and
can be changed’
Just as the etch-asketch portrait can be
changed, to create
new versions of reality
and truth.
Challenges to liberalism
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The act of challenging
liberal values makes way
for post modernism
Postmodernism asks the
questions that need to be
asked in any functioning
liberal democracy
It contains the seeds of
its own destruction
Extremism
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Used to refer only to people in a
pejorative sense
Those who are considered extremists
by others do not consider themselves
to be extremists – depends on one’s
point of view
Refers to a belief system that is outside
the mainstream spectrum of beliefs
May advocate actions that are
considered morally or socially
unacceptable
Example: violent targeting of innocent
civilians
Sometimes mainstream absorbs
extremist views
Eco-terrorists – defending principle or
act of extremism?
Al-Qaeda – supporters agree it’s
extreme – but justified due to systemic
injustice
JOHN CLEESE ON
EXTREMISM: FUNNY
Extremism challenges liberalism
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Challenges liberal beliefs
accepted by the majority of the
population
May create a response by
government that limits the
freedoms of society in general
(FLQ - October Crisis 1970)
Challenge freedom of
expression due to the nature of
the comments made and
actions taken by extremists
Economic forms: mass
privatization, large cuts in
spending, widespread
government deregulation
Economic practices of
communist countries during the
Cold War were seen as
extremist
What solutions to contemporary issues are
supported by the principles of liberalism?
Consumerism
 Figure 12-5 and 12-6 - Page 417
 Promotes certain types of
consumption
 Widespread use of resources due
to personal choices and actions –
pursuing self-interest
 Principles of liberalism – create
disparity?
 Should liberal governments do
something to address this
disparity?
 Recycling fees – TV’s and
computers
 Liberal solution: rethink choices
and actions to alter impact on
others
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http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=PZ29DQvo
pZo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=gLBE5QAY
Xp8
Unanticipated consequences of
Liberalism
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Colonization of Africa, Asia
and South America
Consumers – greater access
of goods (bananas, coffee,
chocolate, silk and cotton)
Cheap labour – China,
Japan, Korea and Mexico
Increased choice/inequitable
distribution
Former colonies – debt and
poverty
Treatment of people in
colonies did not reflect
liberal principles
Created conditions that
support violence, illiberalism
and terrorism
Environmental change and activism
GREENPEACE ON PARLIAMENT
HILL
http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/ind
epthanalysis/story/2009/12/08/
nationaltheclimatequestion.html
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Pressure for government
intervention to reduce impact
on the environment
Government policies and
regulations to restrict individual
control of resources
International agreements
Kyoto and Copenhagen
Kyoto Protocol
 Reduce carbon emissions
 International cooperation
 National interests
 Individuals and groups within
countries
 1997 Agreement – example of
how liberal democracies
approach climate change
 Varying degrees of
commitment
 Canada did not take
measures to respect its
ratification – has made very
little progress
 Carbon tax? Cap and trade?
 Voices – Pages 426-427
Copenhagen Agreement
http://www.cbc.ca/thenatio
nal/indepthanalysis/story
/2009/12/08/nationaltheclimatequestion.html
China and India: Rapid modernization
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http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=3714131876553067182&ei=dQwjS_eZMIeYq
APhhrRG&q=growing+economies+china+and
+india&hl=en#
China – manufacturing centre
India – provides services (call
centres, data processing
operations) SEZ’s – new
infrastructure and no tax zones
Downside – loss of farmland
and traditional ways of life,
exploitation of workers,
environmental issues
Pandemics
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Outbreak of disease on a
global scale
Rapidly spreading disease
– borderless path of
infection
Black plague, Avian Flu,
SARS, H1N1
Limit travel? Restrict
visitors? Limit
immigration?
WHO – World Health
Organization
Should individual freedom
be restricted by
governments in dealing
with pandemics?